WANT to feel good and do some good this January? After all the over-indulgence of the festive season, why not take part in St Clare Hospice’s JanuDry challenge and turn those pints into pounds for your local Hospice!

St Clare Hospice’s Director of Income Generation, Cheryl Armitage, said: “After an endless run of Christmas parties and festive events, our first-ever JanuDry challenge is a great way to start 2017. We want as many St Clare supporters to swap their social drinking for social fundraising for the 31 days of January – a great way to feel good both inside and out this new year!”

The month long challenge to abstain from social drinking, encourages participants to donate the money they save from not buying alcohol, to support the Hastingwood-based charity. Cheryl Armitage said: “You would be surprised how much you can save just by abstaining from your usual social drinking. If you normally drink 10 pints per week, you could save £160 in one month, or 10 gin and tonics and 4 glasses of wine would be £280. It will also save your body around 10,000 calories – so it will leave you feeling healthier too.”

A St Clare supporter who has already signed up for the month long challenge is Jasmin Laskey (25 years from Harlow), a nursing assistant who has been working for the charity’s Hospice at Home team for two years.

Jasmin said: “I saw the advert for JanuDry in the staff newsletter and thought it sounded like a fun way to start the year, and to support St Clare. I know I will be going to lots of parties throughout December and it is a good way to get the New Year on to a healthier track. I also see the difference that our care makes to local families, day in and day out. Families are often at breaking point when we go in to help care for them, and are always so thankful that we are able to provide such vital support at a really difficult time in their lives.”

Jasmin continued: “I love being part of the team at St Clare – it is such a worthwhile and meaningful role. You really make such a difference to people and their loved ones going through such a tough time. Patients are often so surprised when they realise that they don’t have to pay for our care. They sometimes assume it is all NHS funded and are shocked that we have to raise the majority of our £4 million running costs through voluntary donations. I want to do my part in helping the fundraising team – so that we can grow our services and be there for even more people in the future.”

You can find out more about the St Clare JanuDry challenge on their website at www.stclarehospice.org.uk/event/janudry

If you would like more information, or to let the team know that you will be taking up the JanuDry challenge, please call them on 01279 773750 or email [email protected]